Cabin camping options near Wells Tannery, Pennsylvania provide outdoor access at elevations ranging from 800-1,500 feet in the Appalachian foothills. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most cabin rentals require minimum 2-night stays, with peak season running from mid-May through October when campground occupancy reaches 85-90%.
What to do
Water recreation at Raystown Lake: Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA offers access to paddle boarding, canoeing and fishing. According to a camper, "the lake was perfect for paddle boarding. Note that you cannot swim anywhere outside of the roped swim areas." Rentals for watercraft are available at many lake access points.
Hiking year-round: The area features numerous marked trails of varying difficulty levels across state parks. One visitor at Cowans Gap State Park noted, "easy access (on foot) to all of the hiking trails," while another mentioned the "nice hiking trails near the campground." Trails range from easy lake loops to more challenging mountain paths.
Fall foliage viewing: October brings spectacular color displays throughout the region. A visitor commented, "absolutely amazing fall color on the lake and great drives surrounding" at Cowans Gap State Park. Many cabin locations offer prime viewing from porches and campfire areas during peak foliage season, typically mid-October through early November.
Mountain biking: The Allegrippis Trail system provides dedicated paths for cycling enthusiasts. A reviewer at Seven Points mentioned, "this upper loop is also the quietest of the loops and although there were still plenty of boaters in the camp there were just as many bikers."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many cabins offer secluded settings with natural buffers. A camper at Rocky Gap State Park noted their site was "incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites." Site selection significantly impacts privacy levels.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses remain a consistent highlight. A reviewer at Friendship Village Campground praised "clean and luxurious bathrooms and restrooms," while another noted the campground is "very clean and family friendly."
Organized activities: Many parks schedule regular events for guests. One visitor at Friendship Village Campground mentioned, "we went camping here for the first time this weekend. Although it was the off season there was still tons to do. The kids played mini golf, jumped on the pillow, played on multiple playgrounds, enjoyed ice cream and went fishing."
Lake views: Waterfront cabins provide direct lake access and views. According to a camper at Seven Points, "each site is sequentially numbered, depending on which of the seven campgrounds - reference the map for the actual locations," highlighting the importance of checking site maps when booking waterfront options.
What you should know
Varying site conditions: Terrain can affect cabin and RV placement. One camper at Shawnee State Park warned, "the campground is okay, there are a fair amount of awkwardly-placed sites that sit on a hill and are difficult to place a tent, equipment or gear." Always check site details before booking.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds. A visitor noted, "cell service was limited, but had reliable (but low) signal with T-Mobile at my site" at Cowans Gap State Park. Many cabins have no Wi-Fi, and several areas have no cellular coverage.
Reservation windows: Peak season bookings fill quickly, especially for lake-view cabins. One camper at Seven Points mentioned, "we wanted a waterfront site but even trying to reserve the first day we could for this weekend, they were all taken." Most parks open reservations 6-12 months in advance.
Generator noise: Some parks have maintenance equipment that creates background noise. A reviewer at Cowans Gap State Park noted, "the major negative was generator noise coming from the facility just beyond the dam. Droning generator noise was on/off at all hours of the day and went on until 10pm in the evening."
Tips for camping with families
Beach amenities: Lake swimming areas often include additional facilities. A parent at Rocky Gap State Park mentioned, "we love that the campground has their own beach so it's not over crowded with the public. Near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch."
Playground accessibility: Play areas vary significantly between parks. A camper at Friendship Village reported, "there are 3 play grounds all different and all well kept," making it easier to find age-appropriate options for children.
Off-season advantages: Shoulder seasons offer less crowded experiences. One visitor at Friendship Village Campground shared, "went camping here for the first time this weekend. Although it was the off season there was still tons to do." Many campground amenities operate from mid-April through October.
Family site selection: Some cabin areas are better suited for children than others. A camper at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA advised, "In my opinion, the best sites to stay at if you have kids are sites 145–171 as those are right beside the jumping pillow, playground and gaga ball pit."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Uneven terrain affects some campgrounds. An RVer at Shawnee State Park recommended, "we stayed for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet...The fire ring is at an angle so cooking on it proved to be a challenge."
Dump station accessibility: Waste disposal facilities vary in quality and accessibility. A camper at Seven Points noted, "from the time we arrived and filled up the fresh water tank at the ultra-cool 4 lane dump station, I knew we were in for a great weekend. The signage was very well marked and the fresh water spigot was more like a little tank, super-solid, clean and modern."
Site dimensions: Space for larger RVs can be limited at some campgrounds. One RVer at Shawnee State Park advised, "my wife and I stayed for two nights at this campground and enjoyed it greatly. We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up. We have a 32 foot trailer."
